Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-08-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
He Was a Brave Fellow.
Il Young Soldier, TVho IVus Too Sick
to Work, Ordered to be Shot By
Gen. Bragg.

When Gen. Bragg's army evacuated Corinth,
Miss, in 1862, there was great deal of sick
ness among the soldiers, nearly one-fourth of
| the army being unfit for service.
| Capt s. R. Weston, of Company II, fifth
Georgia regiment, and myself belonging TO
Company f, same regiment } were on the sick
! list and not able to march, but still able to do
light duty, writes a correspondent of the Amer
icus (Ga. Recorder. So we were put in charge
of the sick of our regiment, who were to
be sent down on separate train. While we
were as the depot getting the men aboard and
looking to their comfort, we noticed another
squad to our left, as we faced the town, load
ing another train with quartermasters' and
commissary stores and everybody seemed to
be in a hurry and some confusion. Every
straggler was put to work who ought to have
been in bed. Some boisterous, overbearing fel-
low was bossing the job, and If he ordered a
man to go to work and he refused he reported
him at once to Gen. Bragg, who seemed to be
experimenting the whole movement in person.
Finally n young soldier came along on his
way to the cars for the sick. He appeared TO
he about 20 years of age, tall and handsome,
but pale and delicate. The man (or brutc)
commanding the work-squad saw him and
yelled out:
essay, young man, fall in here and go to
work Heave these goods into these cars, and
bc quick about it."
The young man replied:
81 am not able to work. If were would
be with my company"
"Eh? Won't work, ell? We'llse about that.
"GcncralI" he followed out to Gen. Bragg,
who was passing, '.hcrc's a man who refuses
to work." pointing at the youth. who stood as
firm as n rock. Gen. Bragg stopped and gazcd
at the young man, his eyes blazing as no other
mans eyes can blaze, and repeated the order to
help load those cars at once. The young man
repeated his former answer, that he was not
able to work had he been able to work he
would be able to march and would then be with
his command.
The generals eyes seemed to flash fire Us he
exclaimed:
"What! You dare to disObey my orders ?"
81 do" calmly replied the young man.
The general called lieutenant of a Louisi-
ana company of regulars doing guard duty,
and said:
"'Take six of your company and carry this
man to that grove and shoot him."
The lieutenant called out six of his men and
ordered them to load their guns, and while they
were doing so Gen. Bragg beckoned the lieu
tenant, stepped behind garden wall, spoke to
him in low tone, not heard by anyone else,
and walked away. Guard marched the young
man to the grove, about one hundred yards to
our right, placed him on a stool against a large
oak, and started to blindfOld him, which lie
would not permit. but took off his gold watch
and chain and fine gold ring from his finger,
handed them to the lieutenant and requested
him to send them to his mother, at the same
time writing her name and address on piece
of paper and handing it to the lieutenant. re-
sumed his position against the tree, and with
proud smile upon his lips and without q
tremor in his voice, said:
Now, sir, am ready"
The lieutenant stepped off ten PAGES, brought
his men to attention" and dcOmmandedin aloud
voice, distinctly heard by us: Ready! Aim!''
became so weak l thought should faint,
and caught fast hold of a small hook for sup
port and closed my eyes to shut out the awful
decd. There sat the young man, gazing into
the muzzlcs of six muskets pointed at his heart,
u single one of which might send his soul into
eternity in the twinkling of an eye. He looked
on as calmly us If he were looking at a camera
and was simply having his photograph taken.
But the lieutenants next command was: s. Re-
cover arms" which was willingly and promptly
| obeyed. The lieutenant then stepped up to
the young man, hade him rise, grasped his
hand in admiration, returned his watch and
| and ring. which he received with polite bow
and the word "thanks - and walked away az
unconcerned as if nothing unusual had oc
CURED.
The lieutenant and his men returned to their
former position, in few PAGES of where we
were, and pretty soon General Bragg returned
| and asked:
"Wherc is the boy ?"
"Gone," said the lieutenant
what did you ?" asked the general
"Just Gs you directed replied the young
lieutenant. HE handed me his watch and
chain and ring to send to his mother. took hi.
position, refused to be blindfolded, said he wa.
ready and never batted his eyes even when We
were at aim He's the bravest man eyer
saw in my life!" And tears came into the
lieutenants eyes.
"Who is he, and where is he ?" demanded
the general, evincing much interest and look.
ing in every direction.
81 don't know" answered the lieutenant
" Here's his mothers name and address,
handing him slip of paper. He glanced n
! it, put it in his vest-pocket, and said